Kiwi Wins Atacama Crossing
13.09.2007
He almost lost the lead during the 80 kilometer stage but was able to recover in time to still claim the overall victory. Placing second was Jonathan V.E. Bailey of the United Kingdom in a time of 35:28:13 followed by Oliver J. Sinclair also of the United Kingdom in a time of 36:15:55. Once again the margin of victory was small with only 16 minutes separating first and second place.
In the women's division, Dr. Emma Dawber placed first followed by Italian Lori Corti and Australian Sally A. Sanigar. Dr. Dawber became the fourth British woman in a row to capture the women's title in a 4 Deserts event. In the team division, Britons Cpl. Alan N. Johnson, Lt. Stuart W. Innes and Maj. Helen S. Carter of Team 3 Close Support Medical Regiment took first place.
The race took place in an area with dozens of ancient rock carvings, along the old Calama Road and in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth and the entire course was held at an altitude of at least one mile high. Through portions of the course competitors were in the shadow of an active volcano called Lascar while racing through the renowned slot canyons and the infamous Salar de Atacama.
In what has become a tradition, the Atacama Crossing concluded in the Town Square of San Pedro de Atacama in front of the historic church which was originally built in 1641. Competitors representing 16 countries competed in this year's Atacama Crossing. Fifty-six competitors completed the entire course - Max Metcalfe of the United States, aged 18, the youngest competitor, and Toshio Ohmori of Japan, aged 67, the oldest competitor, both successfully completed the course.
SleepMonsters
